Milk

I thought that the chocolate milk drinking competition that Decorah High School took part in was utterly ridiculous. After doing the math, the nutritional benefits (which are still up for debate) do not outweigh the cost on both monetarily and nutritionally. The amount of milk the students were drinking caused them to intake more fat and sugar than they usually do on a daily basis before the competition. The students also spent more more than they actually won on buying the milk to drink for the competition. The prizes that were given were not ones that taught kids about good nutrition, awarding students with closer parking spaces and pizza lunches.

I am in no way a hater of Decorah High School spirit, but I think that the school backing this competition was the wrong choice. The school needs to promote good nutrition, maybe endorsing a white milk drinking challenge instead. White milk has better benefits for student health, and tastes just as good :). I think that the school rallying together to win is awesome and shows that the Vikings have tons of school spirit. Although school spirit is important, I think that rallying around a sugary and fattening cause, really demotes overall effect. Maybe students should pull together for a walk or run in the honor of a beloved teacher, or enter into a corn eating contest!

It is very exciting that Decorah completely demolished the competition in this milk drinking competition. However, the school needs to think harder about the competitions and promotions that they choose to endorse, and the effects it may have on the lives of their students.